President Linda Duncan called the meeting to order at 3:30 P.M.

Seventeen senators were present. Senators Richard Balderas, Dayton Hall, Marilyn Robitaille, and Les Waymack were absent.

By general consent, the Senate approved the secretary's request to make an audio recording of this and future meetings.

1. Approval of Minutes and Treasurer's Report.
Upon motion by Gene Atkinson, the corrected minutes of the November meeting were approved. The Treasurer reported a balance of $3,559.36.

2. Report on Academic Council Meeting.
President Duncan reported the Academic Council approved the proposal to recognize 60 graduate hours, including an appropriate graduate degree for purposes of tenure and promotion by a 20-13 vote. She then reported on her earlier meeting with the Provost in which he indicated his intention to poll the faculty at large regarding the promotion and tenure question. Duncan went on to note that this poll was indeed taken. Finally, President Duncan reported the Executive Board has requested a meeting with Dr. Alexander to discuss Senate concerns regarding administrative procedures. In further discussion, C.B. Pippin expressed his concern that the entire promotion and tenure question is being clouded by the introduction of new questions and proposals before old concerns are addressed. Other senators expressed agreement with this opinion. Randy Rosiere then suggested that the Senate provide a summary of the various promotion and tenure proposals to help faculty members understand the complexities of the issue. Following a lengthy discussion, the Senate agreed to postpone this step until after the Executive Board meets with the Provost, and results of the faculty poll are announced.

3. Report on Proposed Revisions to the Handbook for Faculty and Staff.
President Duncan reported that the Provost agreed with the Senate's proposed revisions reported in the November minutes, and these changes will be incorporated in the next year's edition of the Handbook for Faculty and Staff.

4. Angie Brown's Planned Meeting with the Senate on January 18.
President Duncan announced Angie Brown will attend the January 18 Faculty Senate meeting to discuss the university sick leave policy. Another question of faculty concern is the submission of grievances to mediation prior to any action by the Faculty Advisory Committee. Duncan indicated this step is being implemented throughout the Texas A&M System, and President McCabe strongly favors it. When questioned regarding the objectivity and anonymity of Tarleton employees as mediators, McCabe noted that mediators from other System schools could be appointed to work with local grievances. Senators agreed they would like to hear Brown discuss both topics.

5. Report on Faculty Survey.
President Duncan distributed a synopsis of results of the faculty survey administered last spring semester. This document reported that approximately sixty to eighty percent of faculty members had concerns regarding salary issues, promotion and tenure policies, and teaching loads and additional assignments. About half of the survey's respondents voiced concerns about administrative policies, communication between administration and faculty, developmental leave, library resources, and research opportunities. The faculty voiced the fewest concerns about the university calendar, campus facilities, and the development of the System Center in Killeen.

In light of these concerns, President Duncan recommended that the Senate take the following actions:
a. Continue to advocate for higher faculty salaries.
b. Develop better means of determining faculty concerns regarding promotion and tenure, teaching loads, and administrative communication and policy.
c. Present a developmental leave policy proposal.
d. Develop formal means of determining annual goals.
e. Have a better procedure for senators to follow in order to uniformly report to faculty members.

In response to recommendation e above, Holly Lamb moved to direct the Secretary to email each meeting's minutes (following approval) to all faculty members. The Senate approved this action unanimously.

6. Teacher Evaluation Issues.

J-TAC Interview. President Duncan suggested that representatives from the J-TAC meet with the Faculty Senate and to discuss the evaluation issue with the Provost. By general consensus, the Senate agreed that any J-TAC representative would be welcome at future meetings.

Scan Sheets. Past-President Lamb noted that student evaluations for the fall semester are being conducted with used scan sheets and noted the following two objections to this situation:
a. Due to administrative oversight, some sheets are being distributed to faculty members with the active field already marked. This situation can be confusing to students and potentially damaging to faculty members.
b. Used scan sheets may trivialize the evaluation procedure. If faculty evaluations are as important as the administration suggests, the university should at least use new sheets to record student input.
Members of the Executive Board agreed to draft a statement of faculty concerns regarding evaluations prior to its meeting with the Provost early next semester.

7. Report on Central Texas Center Representation.
Senator Weissenburger reported that, because of end-of-semester time constraints, the Steering Committee of the Faculty Assembly has not yet met. He added that the primary concern of most Central Texas faculty members is the uncertainty of not knowing who is in charge of certain questions. This uncertainty adds to the overall confusion in the transition process. He noted that progress has been made, but the administrative change has been "bumpy" in places.

8. New Business.
Rusty Freed introduced Ms. Janis Petronis as his replacement from the Department of Management, Marketing, and Administrative Systems. She will fill out the remainder of his term beginning with the January meeting.

President Duncan adjourned the meeting at 4:35 P.M.